Overview
Departments of Environment and Geography, Biology, Archaeology and Chemistry
This prestigious NERC funded Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) brings together the very best in environmental, ecological and evolutionary research across the Universities of York, Sheffield and Liverpool, together with the together with the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) and the Natural History Museum (NHM). Students will benefit from a PhD training programme that has interdisciplinary collaboration at its core. The aim is to produce multi-skilled researchers equipped to tackle cutting edge environmental science of global significance, embedded within a unique, supportive training environment. At York, the NERC Partnership brings together researchers from the Departments of Biology, Environment and Geography, Archaeology and Chemistry. All projects are co-supervised, most of them with supervisors in different institutions, in order to foster innovative science, collegiality, and breadth of experience.
Our fully-funded PhD programme in Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment (ACCE) offers projects aligned with the grand challenges in environmental research: securing ecosystem services and environmental resources; predicting and mitigating impacts of climate change; understanding the dynamics of biodiversity; and mechanisms of evolutionary change. There are Environment projects where the lead supervisor is based in York's Department of Environment and Geography. In addition there are projects also available in the departments of Biology and Archaeology.
One of the York studentships each year can be allocated to well-qualified students who have devised their own research project, together with a York ACCE supervisor. The project must fall broadly within one of the ACCE themes. If you are interested in this route, please contact a potential supervisor in the departments of Biology, Environment and Geography, Archaeology or Chemistry to discuss your idea and help develop your project outline.
Studentship details
Studentships
Studentships: Fourteen fully funded PhD studentships are available, across York, Sheffield and Liverpool, on this outstanding programme for entry in September 2024. To be considered you need to select a suitable project from the list available and submit an application through the University of York online system.
Value: The studentships are fully funded for 3.5 years in the first instance, and students must complete their PhD in four years. The studentships cover:
- a tax-free annual stipend at the standard UKRI (£18,622 for 2023/24 entry)
- research costs
- tuition fees at UK rate
You can extend your funding period for up to 6 months by applying to a 3-month placement and a 3-month writing up period for a publication.
Eligibility: The studentships are available to International (including EU) and UK (home) students. You can apply if you have, or are expecting to gain, at least an upper second class honours degree or equivalent. If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. For more information see our Postgraduate English language requirements.
Entry requirements: Students with, or expecting to gain, at least an upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. The interdisciplinary nature of this programme means that we welcome applications from students with backgrounds in any relevant subject that provides the necessary skills, knowledge and experience for the DTP, including environmental, biological, chemical, mathematical, physical and social sciences. For further details see how to apply.
Shortlisting: Supervisors can only put forward one student for consideration per project. Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and successful applicants will be notified promptly.
Queries: If you have any queries about a specific Environment project, please contact the appropriate project supervisor, their emails can be found on our academic staff list. If you have any queries related to the application process please contact environment-
Application process
Before you apply
Applications are made via "Select" (our University's Online Application Service). Your application can be completed in stages as our online system allows you to save your progress and come back later to finish it. We do not require you to provide a sample of written work.
Academic requirements
Students applying for this research programme should normally have obtained an upper second class honours degree (or equivalent).
Eligibility
The studentships are available to UK and EU students who meet the UK residency requirements. Students from EU countries who do not meet the residency requirements may still be eligible for a fees-only award. Further information about eligibility for Research Council UK funding.
Selecting a project
Please try to identify a research project that suits you. This is to ensure a proper match between your research interests and your prospective supervisors. If you are attracted by more than one project in ACCE, rather than applying to several, we would encourage informal discussions with different project supervisors to help you decide which is the most appropriate project, to maximize your chances of obtaining a studentship. Contact details for academic staff can be found on each project description.
Applying
To submit your application, please click on the 'Apply now' button inside the project description. This will take you to the University's Online Application Service. It is very important that you write the title of the project you are applying to and the names of the project supervisors.
After you apply
Supervisors can only nominate one student for consideration per project. Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and applicants are normally notified promptly.
If you're shortlisted you'll be invited for an interview. As part of the interview process, you'll be asked to make a five-minute presentation on a research project you've undertaken.
You'll be notified as soon as possible after the interview dates whether your application has been successful, placed on a reserve list, or unsuccessful. If you are successful, you'll be required to confirm your intention to accept the studentship within 10 days.
If you have any queries related to the application process, please email environment-